Histamine and its actions on isolated tissues of lower vertebrates.

The response to histamine (Hi) of isolated organs such as the intestinal tract and heart, obtained from certain lower vertebrates, was investigated phylogenetically and compared with the response to acetylcholine (ACh), 5-hydroxytryptamine and epinephrine (Ep). Contractions induced by Hi (10(-4) M) were not noticeable in any of the intestinal strips of fish and amphibians tested, although ACh produced marked contractions in all preparations even at 10(-6) M. Contractile responses of intestinal preparations to Hi were elicited from reptiles, and seemed to be associated with the H1 receptor in many species but not with the H2 receptor. In isolated fish auricles, neither inotropic nor chronotropic responses were produced by Hi. In bullfrogs and in the majority of species, including reptiles and higher classes, a marked positive inotropic response was elicited via H1 or H2 receptors, but in some animals chronotropic effect was less impressive. The effects of ACh and Ep on heart preparations were remarkable in almost all species tested. When the Hi contents in various tissues were studied comparatively, a determinant stage of Hi appearance in the tissue coincided with the stage in which a definite Hi response emerged in isolated organs.